DREAM.17 takes place May 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and serves as a fundraiser following earthquakes and a tsunami that recently ravaged the country. HDNet is expected to air the show in North America.

Bout agreements for the contest are expected to be finalized shortly.

A former competitor on “The Ultimate Fighter 8,” Nelson in December was released by the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion following a four-fight stint. Nelson rebounded from a two-fight losing streak in his first fight outside of the octagon with a submission win over Jai Bradney in Australia.

The exact reasons for McKee’s withdrawal from the card remains unclear. McKee today said visa issues were to blame, though DREAM rep Mike Kogan said he wasn’t buying the excuse.

“There’s a travel agent in L.A. since this morning ready to get all the
paperwork processed and have his visa processed by Thursday,” Kogan said. “He would have had plenty of time. So if it’s a visa
issue, he can get it done. If it’s not, then his people need to come up
with a better excuse.”

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is probably the greatest female fighter on the planet, which is a tremendous feat. So why are we seemingly so obsessed with arguing about whether she could beat up men?